‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Test Screening Reportedly Puts Doctor Doom on Thanos’ Level
Marvel has spent months building toward December 18, when ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ becomes the first Avengers film since 2019. Expectations are enormous, and every scrap of early feedback gets dissected. That is why each new ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ test screening report is landing like a small event of its own.
The buzz has been steady since spring, when early reports had the film testing at the level of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. A September screening reportedly drew around 80 people, including Marvel team members and partner studio staff, who watched the full movie with the post-credits scene and then voted on it. The opening 10 minutes were reportedly intense enough to rattle viewers.
Now a fresh batch of details has surfaced from the most recent screening, and they cover nearly everything fans have been wondering about. Early reactions are reportedly positive, the runtime is said to be around 2 hours and 50 minutes, and Doctor Doom is being compared to the best villain the franchise has produced. Cyclops is also reportedly a standout, and there is currently 1 important post-credits scene.
New details from the recent test screening of ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’: • Early reactions are positive • Runtime is around 2 hours and 50 minutes • Doctor Doom is reportedly one of Marvel’s best villains, on par with Thanos • Cyclops is a standout • There is currently one important post-credits scene (via: @DanielRPK)
— MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) October 25, 2026
The headline claim is the villain comparison. Doom is reportedly considered one of Marvel’s best villains, on par with Thanos. That is a bold benchmark for Robert Downey Jr., who steps into the armor after years as Iron Man.
The stakes around Doom were already high. Reports last year claimed Downey had 3 weeks of Doom footage reshot after scenes were first filmed with a body double in the suit, though a later report said any on-set friction has since been resolved. Test audiences praising the performance would suggest the gamble is paying off.
The reported 2 hours and 50 minutes fits a long-running story. A Hollywood Reporter report put the film at 165 minutes, or 2 hours and 45 minutes, about 5 months before release, and AMC currently lists that same figure. Earlier rumors claimed one cut ran as long as 3 hours and 30 minutes, followed by a reported goal of trimming it to 2 hours and 50 minutes.
For comparison, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ runs 149 minutes, while ‘Avengers: Endgame’ runs 3 hours and 1 minute. A cut near 2 hours and 50 minutes would land between them. Nothing is official until Marvel releases a certified runtime, so the number could still shift.
The Cyclops mention is a notable one for fans eager to see the X-Men share the screen with the Avengers. The film brings together heroes from 3 universes, so a single character emerging as a standout from such a crowded ensemble would be a good sign. It suggests the movie is finding room to give legacy characters meaningful moments.
The post-credits scene has its own backstory. Marvel reportedly shot a new tag scene a little over 3 months before release, and it screened unfinished at a September test screening. The latest report says there is currently 1 important scene, which hints that the studio sees it as a significant setup for what comes next.
He used to be different. Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters everywhere December 18. Get your tickets now: https://t.co/J5PUbxvAkc https://t.co/OUutSMZneq
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 15, 2026
Test screenings come with caveats. These are internal showings, the details come from industry scoopers rather than official channels, and one report described the reaction only as “good.” Another unverified claim said the film tested higher than ‘Avengers: Endgame’, but that has not been confirmed.
Still, the pattern across several months is encouraging. Disney executives are reportedly impressed, and advance ticket sales are already running well ahead of other recent blockbusters. The real verdict arrives when ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ opens on December 18, the same day as ‘Dune: Part Three’.
What are you most excited to see in 'Avengers: Doomsday'?
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